vance_the_cubs_fan

I think Dierker would be a fine manager of this team. You've convinced me UK.

Rozner chimes in on the Maddux situation. It seems that Maddux is not thinking ahead to whether he would accept a trade if the Cubs become sellers. He doesn't say he would, but he also doesn't rule it out.

I can't see a team taking him in the stretch run with him likely to have his option vest next year unless the Cubs throw in about $4M toward that option. I think how much money depends on what players the Cubs would recieve. I would like to see Hendry grow a pair and move some of these vets. If it is clear that Cubs are out of the race, I would not be opposed to moving Maddux. I also think it can be done in a way that shows dignity and class. First Hendry would need to approach Maddux and float the idea by him. Maddux only has one ring, and likely would want another. I wouldn't be surprised if he would have interest in going somewhere that would improve his chances this year.

Hendry was definitely going for broke in 2004. If you had told anyone after the NLCS in 2003 that in 2004 they would add Barrett, Lee, Hawkins, Maddux and Garciaparra plus keep the rest of the main core they would have been thrilled. Hendry made the right moves to win in 2004 and end the drought but he got unlucky with injuries. I think that this year he tried to do the best he could, but was somewhat handcuffed by the financial restrictions from the moves while going for broke in 2004. It doesn't look to good for this year, but it is early and if they can get the rotation healthy and in a groove they might be able to put together some good runs. However, next yeat I think Hendry will be back in a position to be a major player in free agency and trades where he takes on salary from other teams. Personally, I think it was great what he did in 2004. I never had so much hope for the Cubs. It stinks that it did not work out but I am really glad he at least made a full out effort. Right. I agreed with all the moves prior to the 2004 season. I felt we had a team that would win it all. Alas, we didn't. I also saw the black cloud forming when I saw the Alou buy-out, the fact that Maddux's salary would escalate by 3 million, that Wood and Lee's salaries would escalate by 1.5 million each, the raises due Zambrano, Ramirez, and Patterson as well as raises to Hawkins and Remlinger. I knew that very little would be added this offseason. The money was spent for a run last year. Next year, hopefully money will be cleared to restack the deck. Even with Maddux making 9 million, the Cubs will have money to spend. The Sosa money will be off the books as will Remlinger's and Borowski's. The Cubs will have to be wise how those resources are allocated. I have some ideas in mind, but I'll save them for a thread later this season.

I'm going to make a few comments on the Maddux situation. First, I don't like the option year, but I was fairly certain it would vest the moment he signed. Pitching over 200 innings a season for Maddux is almost a certainty as taxes. So, I've always assumed the option would vest. I thought he was going to get too many dollars when he signed. But the fact is, as I've said before, Hendry was building for a winner in 2004. He made some shaky financial decisions based on those moves. This year we're living with the remnants of two situations. One is the decision to go for broke in 2004. The second is the decision that the 2004 team was flawed and that Sosa, Alou, Farnsworth and others had to go regardless of the cost. As Hendry put the finishing touches on the 2004 Cubs, he wanted a reliable arm for the last spot in the rotation. He didn't trust Mitre or Cruz to be that pitcher and dangling before him was an aging Greg Maddux. The Giants were offering a larger two year deal than Hendry could afford, so Hendry added the option year. He could only pay Maddux 6 million in 2004 and felt he was the final piece. 6 in 2004 and 9 in 2005 wasn't going to get it done; therefore the last option year at 9 was added and the 2004 gamble was complete. Should Hendry have gambled for it all in 2004? Well, given the results of 2003, it's hard to blame him. Did he make the wrong gambles? Likely...but he assumed Borowski would be a healthy closer so he added the expensive set-up man in Hawkins. He didn't predict the Wood and Prior injuries or that Sosa would deteriorate both in skills and personality so rapidly. 2004's collapse left us with what we have today and it's not pretty. Had we won it all last season, we're likely sitting here with different feelings on this team and even the Maddux contract. Unfortunately, it is just one more remnant of the fateful decision that 2004 would be the year to go for broke. We signed the contract. Maddux has lived up to his part. His skills are declining, but he's still better than other options. If Maddux wants to be traded, I'd try to accomodate him. I might even try to work out a financial settlement to get him to retire...but in no way do I deliberately keep him from getting the innings.

Modzilla is a force behold. (We've had speculation on the alter ego of Modzilla, but no one ever learned his true identity.) Combine the powers of Modzilla with the Creator and it could be time for Armageddon.

=D>

Ok, it's time for me to chime in. He's gone. I was one of the biggest defenders of the Cubs and I highly expected him to be returned. I was wrong. I didn't forsee him having this level of success. And of course there were differing views on what the Royals would do. I can fully understand all those who felt it was foolish to leave him unprotected. I was shocked that he was, but felt that in light of what happens with most Rule V guys and the fact that he had performed poorly in A ball that he would be returned. I think anyone who thought he would pitch this well this year is just posturing after the fact, though there were many that felt the Royals would keep him regardless of how he pitched. Well, he's gone. He's shown enough that even if completely implodes the rest of the way, they will keep him. He's close to getting his games in now, they could likely have a phantom injury and hide him awhile if needed. Either way, he's a goner, but I don't think anyone, even the Royals predicted this level of success this soon.

You can vote up to 25 times per email address. Also be sure to write in Jason Dubois in the outfield. I've voted nearly 500 times, so I could use your help.

Borowski threw two innings today. My guess is that they'll want him to throw one more time. If he gets similar results, he'll be on his way to Chicago.

The Des Moines Register had a few quotes on Borowski's rehab. Limk Get well soon, Joe!

You can add a 2003 autographed pocket schedule by Dusty Baker as well. :P

It sure would be nice, though! Go Derrek Lee!

Maybe we can get Sisco back in a few years when he gets too expensive for the Royals to keep him.

With the Royals brutal pitching, maybe they should let Sisco start... :-k

Of course on the bright side, the Sisco autograph I got in ST 2004 may actually end up having some value. And it wasn't that I didn't think that the Royals intended to keep him, my view was based on the history that very few guys stick (and I'm sure many of those teams intended to keep the guys they drafted as well) and that I thought he'd perform so erratically that he'd create some interesting roster decisions that would likely lead to his return. His performance as a reliever changed everything. Now, regardless of anything else, he's earned his keep. I'm no wondering if they'll even put him in the minors next season or continue to let him perform in the majors.

Since someone wants to call me out ( :roll: ) because it fuels their ego or such....I guess I should post my thoughts. At the time Sisco was drafted in the rule five, I thought we'd get him back. As the season began, I placed those odds at 50-50. I really didn't expect him to pitch this well making the jump that he did. I was wrong. But even those who thought he would stick likely didn't project him to pitch this well. Based on his performance, yes I assume he's 99.9% gone. It's not the first time I've made a wrong projection (I thought we'd sweep the Astros too..) and it won't be the last. But since it's so important for someone else to know that I made a mistake, I guess I'll eat my crow. :roll:

I spoke to Borowski on Friday. He signed a nice picture for me. Said he was feeling really good but needed to get his arm back in shape. He says he's anxious to get back, but he isn't going to rush it. Todd Walker was out during pre-game drills, but was wearing a knee brace. I asked him Friday night how his knee was as he was leaving the park, and he said "lots better, thanks for asking." Not much else to tell.

We should just bean Dunn every time he comes to the plate. He's a big enough of a target.

I think this is compounded by the fact that Macias has one hit against righties this year and none against lefties. Dubois, may not be his best against a righty, but he had 2 hits on the afternoon which is two more than the POS Macias. I'm seriously thinking about kicking Dusty in the nuts if I see him.

:roll:

Bruce Miles says Borowski threw a bullpen session yesterday. At least that is one good report.

On a more serious note, I'd like to see Patterson get a quick promotion to Daytona just to see what he can do. It's obvious to me that he's head and shoulders better than the competion in low A. This kid should be on the fast track to Wrigley.

I heard Eric dates the Pepsi Girl as pictured here: http://dontlinkthis.com/thatpepsigirl/thatpepsigirl2.gif

further evidence that this forum needs a puke emoticon. Perhaps a review of existing emoticons would satisfy you. :pukel: :puker: :puke: the code shows up for me, but an actual emoticon does not. not sure why. Those are premium smileys. It costs five bucks a month for them. But you get so many cool ones: :wtg: :wave: :stickman: :bath: :ughug: :willynilly: :titanic: :muffy: :headz: :pals: :redx: :squee: :yernuts: :bum: :toothless: :player: